Multi-functional wrap

ABSTRACT

A multi-functional wrap comprising an elongated tube of fabric material having mating fastener elements at opposite ends. The tube can be wrapped around one&#39;s head forming a head covering with a bun portion in back. It can also be wrapped around one&#39;s head and neck or used in a variety of ways.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/175,332 filed May 4, 2009, the contents of whichare incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates to multi-functional wraps, and, moreparticularly, to a elongated tube of fabric material with matingconnector portions at each end that can be wrapped around one's head,one's head and neck, about one's shoulders, etc.

2. General Background

Fabric materials that wrap around one's head are know but generally donot have the functionality of a quick and easy wrap nor are able tofunction as more than a conventional head wrap.

There is a need for a multi-functional wrap which includes an elongatedtube of a fabric material that quickly and easily wraps around one'shead, one's head and neck, one's shoulders, etc.

SUMMARY

It is an object of this invention to provide a multi-functional wrap forone's head.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a multi-functionalwrap for one's head and neck.

It is still further an object of this invention to provide amulti-functional wrap that can go around either one's head, ones' headand neck, one's shoulders, around the waist, etc.

These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing anelongated tube of fabric material having mating fastening elements atopposite ends which tube can be wrapped about one's head, or ones' headand neck, about one's shoulders or used in a variety of ways.

DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent with reference to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencenumerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an elongated tube of fabric material.

FIG. 1 a is a plan view of the opposite side of the tube in FIG. 1showing mating fastener portions at opposite ends;

FIG. 1 b is a view taken along lines 1 b-1 b of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 c is a view taken along lines 1 c-1 c of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 is the initial position of the tubular wrap prior to the positionas shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the wrap of the invention disposed on the headof a user; the hair inside;

FIGS. 4 through 6 are subsequent positions of the tubular wrap prior tothe final position shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is the final position of the wrap of the invention; and

FIGS. 8 to 11 are perspective views of the wrap of the invention shownin a variety of uses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, an elongated tubular piece offlexible material is shown approximately 9½″ wide by 29″ long. Thus,tube 10 has a throughbore 11 and, as seen in FIG. 1 a, the opposite sideof tube 10 as seen in FIG. 1 has a longitudinal seam 12 so that tube 10is formed by sewing or stitching together the elongated sides of aplanar piece of material that usually is a rectangle about 19″ wide and29″ long. A fastener, such as mating button snaps 13, 14, is provided atopposite ends adjacent seam 12 on the same side of seam 12. Fastener 13may be a female button fastener having the female button portion 15(FIG. 1 b) accessible inside the tube whereas fastener 14 may be a malebutton fastener having the male button portion 16 (FIG. 1 c) accessibleinside tube 10. It is to be understood that fastener 13 may have afemale button portion and fastener 14 may have a mating male buttonportion as is well known in the art. Of course, fasteners other thansnaps, such as hook and loop material, may be used. However, preferablysnap buttons are used such the portions on the other side of the matingportions 15, 16 are visible on the outside of tube 10 and accessiblethere for quick and easy fastening, as will be discussed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the initial position of the wrap 17 is shown onthe head 18 of a user. One open end of tube 10 is placed on the head ofa user and the tube 10 is pulled down around the front of the head 18 ofthe user forming wrap 17. The wrap 17 is pulled upwardly with the hairof the user extending through the tube. This is the position shown inFIG. 3. Thus, seam 12 is on the side opposite the face of the user. Asseen in FIG. 3, the tube 10 is pulled down the back side of the head ofthe user. As seen in FIG. 4, the elongated portion 19 of tube 10 istwisted and the twisted portion 19 is coiled, as seen in FIG. 5, withthe free end 21 pulled through the looped part 20 until the free end 21extends out of the looped part 20 (FIG. 6). As seen in FIG. 6, male snapportion 16 is then secured to female snap portion 15.

The final position of wrap 17 is shown in side view in FIG. 7 forming abun at the back of the head. FIG. 8 shows the tubular piece of material10 wrapped around one's neck, the snaps at the free end of tube 10 beingsecured together to hold tube 10 in place for warmth. FIG. 9 shows theforming a head and neck wrap, the free end of the tube 10 is beingwrapped about one's neck and the snaps secured together.

In FIG. 10, the wrap is pulled down to cover the front of one's head inthe form of a banded cap or beanie.

In FIG. 11, the neck wrap of FIG. 8 is pulled up to cover one's face forwarmth.

Tube 10 may be made of any suitable fabric material, such as variousknits (cotton or polyester), in solids, prints, stripes, etc. and ofvarious colors. The dimensions may vary but I have found that a width ofabout 10″ and a length of about 30″ is suitable.

Tube 10 can go around several parts of the body, not just the head,neck, and shoulders (can also be a belt, a mock shirt/hip warmer, coverone's arms, etc); it can be made in many different fabrics other thanknits.

The fabric material may be super soft and is thus a fun multi-functionalaccessory, that can be fashioned into a variety of different looks. Itkeeps one's hair securely away from the face and is good for warmthbefore, during and after workouts. It is also great for damp or hair wetfrom exercising or swimming where it can be worn loose. The tube doublesas a stylish neck or ear warmer and headband. It can be worn manydifferent ways.

Among the many advantages of the tube of my invention are the following:

Secures hair into a fun bun instantly.

Snap closure provides added security and closure.

Keeps hair out of one's face and off one's neck.

Absorbs perspiration from the face and the back of one's neck and head.

Uniformity-great for performances and in the classroom.

Compact, noticeable feel for spotting during pirouettes in ballet andwhile turning.

Soft, lightweight, machine washable.

Doubles as a neck warmer—great for voice students and singers.

Great with damp or wet hair after workout or swimming.

Easy Solution for bad hair day.

It can be worn with short, long or no hair.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention is disclosed it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional changes may be made departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

While the apparatus and method have been described in terms of what arepresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to thedisclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications andsimilar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims,the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so asto encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The presentdisclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.

1. A method of forming a bun on the head of a user from an elongatedflattened hollow tube of a flexible material having a first side and asecond side and having a longitudinal seam extending from one end of thetube to the other on said first side, and mating fasteners at oppositeends of said tube on said first side thereof, a first one of saidfasteners being on said first side of said tube at one end thereofhaving a mating fastener portion extending inwardly of said tube, and asecond one of said fasteners being on said first side at the other endthereof having a mating fastener portion extending inwardly of said tubeadapted to mate with the mating fastener portion of said first one ofsaid fasteners, said method comprising the steps of: pulling one openend of said tube over one's head forming an endless band around the headof the user; pulling one's hair upwardly through the band until the hairextends down the back of the user; pulling the band downwardly over thehair until the band reforms said tube with the hair extending down theback of the head of the user through said reformed tube with said seamand fasteners extending down the back of the head and neck of said userbelow said neck; subsequently twisting said tube between one's head andthe end of said tube below one's neck forming a twisted rope-likeextension; subsequently winding said twisted rope-like extension into abun at the back of one's head; subsequently pulling the terminal end ofsaid twisted rope-like extension having said fasteners under said bunand up through the center of said bun; and subsequently securing thefasteners together at generally the nape of one's neck securing the bunin place.
 2. An elongated flattened tube of a flexible material havingan elongated seam extending from one end of said tube to the other onone side thereof, and mating fasteners at opposite ends of said tube onsaid one side adapted to mate with each other.
 3. The tube of claim 2wherein said material is a fabric material.
 4. The tube of claim 3wherein said fabric is cotton.
 5. The tube of claim 4 wherein saidfabric is polyester.
 6. The tube of claim 3 wherein said material iswashable.
 7. The tube of claim 2 wherein said tube is about 9½″ inlength and about 29″ in width.
 8. A multi-functional wrap whichcomprises an elongated hollow tube of fabric material with matingfasteners at opposite ends which can be quickly and easily wrapped aboutone's head, one's head and neck, one's shoulders, etc.
 9. The wrap ofclaim 1 wherein the tube is of a solid, print or striped material. 10.The wrap of claim 2 wherein the tube is of various colors.
 11. The wrapof claim 8 wherein said tube can be used to form a bun on one's head, ascarf, an ear warmer, a headband, a neck warmer, a mock scarf, a belt, amock skirt, or a cap.